Chrysanthemum plant named `GEDI M1`

ABSTRACT

A new plant variety of Chrysanthemum producing small white flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a new and distinct variety ofChrysanthemum plant botanically classified as Dendranthema grandiflora.The varietal denomination of the new chrysanthemum is `GEDI M1`.

The female parent of the new variety is the variety known as `Celino`and the male parent is the variety known as `Ozenda` (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 10,419). The new variety has been asexually reproduced by vegetativecuttings in Ventura County, Calif. and the distinguishingcharacteristics are retained through successive generations of a sexualreproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

`GEDI M1` is a Chrysanthemum plant variety with whitedecorative/button-type flowers.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

`GEDI M1` has a smaller flower diameter than either parent. The newvariety also has a round capitulum while `Celino` has a flat capitulum.Flower color of `Ozenda` is light lavender.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the plant andflowers of the new variety with colors being as nearly true as possiblewith illustrations of this type.

FIG. 1 is a whole plant view of the new cultivar grown in a pot.

FIG. 2 is a closer view, showing inflorescence and foliagecharacteristics of the new cultivar in greater detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following description of the new variety is of specimens grown in agreenhouse in Ventura County, Calif. in the month of April. `GEDI M1`has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Thephenotype may vary with variations in the environment such astemperature, light intensity, day length and cultural conditions. Thecolor designations herein are from The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart except where general terms are used.

To produce a commercial product the plants may be pinched once about tendays after planting. It has been observed that the shelf life of `GEDIM1` is about 29 days and a response time of about 7 weeks. No treatmentwith growth retardant was used with plants described. Useful growingconditions include night temperatures of about 18°-20° C., daytemperatures of about 20°-30° C. and about 5,000 to 6,000 foot-candlesof light. The new variety is naturally blooming in September in VenturaCounty, Calif.

Plant:

Habit.--Mounding herbaceous perennial, free branching.

Height.--About 28 cm.

Number of breaks from pinch.--About 4 to 5.

Length of lateral branches.--About 22 cm.

Stem color.--Near 138A.

Foliage:

Leaf arrangement.--Alternate.

Number of leaves per lateral branch.--About 15 fully expanded leaves.

Leaf size.--Length: About 5.5 cm. Width: About 3.5 cm.

Leaf shape.--Ovate.

Attachment.--Petioled.

Leaf apex.--Acute.

Base.--Truncate.

Margin.--Palmately lobed.

Aspect.--Slightly undulate.

Surface.--Top: Lightly pubescent. Bottom: Pubescent.

Venation.--Prominent on underside. Color: Underside: Near 137D.Upperside: Near 146B.

Petiole.--Length: About 1.3 cm. Color: Near 146B.

Color.--Mature leaf. Top: Near 137B. Bottom: Near 137C. Young leaf: Top:Near 137A. Bottom: Near 137C.

Bloom:

Inflorescence form.--Cyme.

Bloom form.--Decorative.

Number of blooms per branch.--About 8.

Diameter of fully expanded bloom.--About 2.1 cm.

Depth of fully expanded bloom.--About 2.1 cm.

Sepal number.--About 35. Color: Near 137B.

Peduncle.--Length: Uppermost: About 3.5 cm. Lateral: About 5.5 cm.Habit: Straight. Surface: Pubescent. Color: Near 138A.

Flower bud (when just showing color).--Color: Near 155C. Diameter: About1 cm. Height: About 0.7 cm. Shape: Flattened sphere.

Ray florets.--Number per flower: About 200. Texture: Matte. Shape:Oblanceolate. Apex: 2 to 3 irregular obtuse lobes. Base: Tapered.Margin: Entire. Aspect: Strongly recurved. Length: About 1.5 cm. Width:About 0.7 cm.

Disc florets.--Number per flower: About 20. Texture: Shiny. Shape:Cylindric, fluted apex. Length: About 0.6 cm. Width: About 0.1 cm.

Fragrance.--Faint.

Flower color:

General flower description.--Small white decorative, some with slightlyyellow center, some with a slight green center.

Ray florets, top side.--Immature: Near 155D. Mature: Near 155D. Fading:Near 155D.

Ray floret, under side.--Immature: Near 154D. Mature: Near 154D. Fading:Near 154D.

Disc florets.--Immature: Near 144C. Mature: Near 12A. Fading: Near 145C.

Changes as the flower ages.--White color retained. Capitulum shapebecomes nearly spherical.

Reproductive organs:

Ray florets.--Pistillate. Stigma shape: 2 branched. Stigma color: Near6A. Style length: About 0.5 cm. Style color: Near 154C.

Disc florets.--Stigma shape: Linear. Stigma color: Near 5A. Stylelength: About 0.3 cm. Style color: Near 4D. Stamen number: About5.Anther length: About 0.2 cm. Pollen color: Near 13A. Pollen quantity:Moderate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant of thevariety